BRYAN Robson has revealed Chris Kirkland will need to prove his fitness to have any chance of earning a loan move to The Hawthorns.

BRYAN Robson has revealed Chris Kirkland will need to prove his fitness to have any chance of earning a loan move to The Hawthorns.

Robson wants to bring the Liverpool keeper to the Black Country for an assessment before deciding whether to pursue the highly-rated goalkeeper.

Kirkland underwent back surgery last season to cure an on-going problem, but his overall fitness is still in doubt following an injury-dogged few years.

Robson is hoping to know more on the Kirkland situation later this week before making a final decision.

"We are interested in signing in Chris and I think it would be for a certain amount of time," said the manager.

"I hope to have him over for training so we can assess his fitness and if all is alright there could be a possible loan deal.

"I am hoping to have talks this week and a deal is something we are looking at." The 24-year-old has made just 45 appearances since joining Liverpool in August 2001.

Kirkland has fallen down the pecking order since Scott Carson's move from Leeds in January and his future looks even more bleak following speculation that Rafa Benitez is pursuing a replacement for current number one Jerzy Dudek.

As exclusively revealed in yesterday's Evening Mail, Robson has sent out an invite for Gabriel Batistuta to visit Albion's training camp in pre-season - despite comments reportedly attributed to the Baggies boss last night that claimed otherwise.

Whether or not the Argentinian legend acts on that remains to be seen.

Robson also hopes to have some players on board by late June, with Albion hoping to agree a fee with Blues for Darren Carter and Everton's utility man Steve Watson also emerging as a target.

Albion will know more on Kieran Richardson's position at Manchester United within the next fortnight - Robson being guaranteed first option on the recentlycapped England midfielder.